Container closure



June 4, 1940. o. w. wE'N'rz' ,counman cnosunn Filed uarch 1, i937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 4, 1940. o. w. wENrz l 2,202,880

CONTAINER CLOSUR Filed-nud, '1937 2 sheets-sheet@ I. il l |I n: l

I s i 2W i e I l i/ I /3/ l IIl lll'. ',l'll i n` INVENToR OSCAR M. WEA/TZ ATTORNEY '35 The invention accordingly consists in the feaing foldedA inwardly, for eXample. into double 35 Patented June 14, 1940 l iUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER CLOSURE Oscar W. Wentz, Long Island City, N. Y. Application March 1, 1937, Serial No. 128,352

8 Claims. (Cl. 229-47) This invention relates to closures for contain- Figure is a vertical sectional view, as seen ers such as containers made of paper, cardboard, along the line 5 5 0f Figure 4; or the like, and particularly to liquid-carrying Figurev 6 iS a frOnt eleVatiOn like that 0f Figcontainers of that type. ures 1 and 4 but showing the device and con- 5 One of the objects of this invention is to protailler in itS final Stage;

vide a simple, inexpensive and dependable de- Figure 7 is a plan view, as seen from above in vice for maintaining closed the end of a con- Figure 6; tainer of the above-mentioned type, and one that Figure 8 is a sectional view, as seen along the will be capable of easy association with the conline 3--8 0f Figure 6, and l0 tainer. Another object is to provide a device of Figure 9 iS a plan View 0f a blank 0r Strip 0f no the above-mentioned character that will be eco- Sheet metal Showing hOW the preferred form 0f nomical in its utilization of the raw material out lny invention lendS itself t0 Stamping 01 Cutting, of which it is made. Another object is to prowithout wastage, out of the blankvide a device of the above-mentioned character Similar reference characters refer to similar whichl will be capable of speed and ease of maparts throughout the several viewsin the drawi6 nipulation, both for elrecting the closure of the ingS- container and for eiecting opening of the con- Referring first to Figure 1, I have there shown tainer. Another object is to provide a device of a Container generally indicated by the reference the above-mentioned character that will be emcharacter l0, and to better illustrate certain feal cient in action and that will dependably and in tures 0f my inventien, it may be assumed that the 20 a simple way cope with certain 'peculiarities Container l0 iS 0f suitably heavy paper. Cardsometimes met 'with in practice, such as 'differboard, 0r the like, and that it may be intended ences in the number of thicknesses of container fOr the dispensing 0f liquid, Such aS milk. The material that happen to be f01ded and with which container l0 may of itself be of any suitable or the device is to coact. Another object is to pro-` appropriate ferm 0r C0nStI`uCti0n and iS pl'O- 25 vide a, compact; and light but Strong device made vided at its other and otherwise open or lling of a sheet material, such as sheet metal, capend with Suitable or appropriate fold or crease able of dependable and strong closure-retaining lines whereby that end may be folded in any action throughout the closed oriolded end of suitable Way, preferably t0 bring itS upper edges 3o the container. Another object is to provide a in alinelnent along a straight line, t0 elleet a 30 device of the above-mentioned character that will clOSuie- Illustratively and aS iS better ShOWn be well adapted to meet the various conditions in Figure 2l these fOld 0r CleaSe lines may be of hard practical use. other objects will be in Such as to denne front and rearpanels il and part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter. l2 and lateral and Opposed'panels Capable 0f betures of construction, combinations of elements, iOldS I3 and i4. the latter being received beand arrangements of parts as will be exemplitween the opposed panels ll, |2- When the uped in the structure to be hereinafter described per .edge p0rt1'0ns 0f the panels l l, l2 are brought Vand the scope of the application of which will be 4Cumpletely together, the double fOldS i3, i4 are 40 indicated in the following claims. at their upper ends snugly received between their o In the accompanying drawings in which4 is opposed panels Il, l2, the upper edges 0f all shown one of the various possible embodiments 0f the panels and folds being brought Substanof my invention, tially into alinement along a straight line. In Figure 1 is a front elevation of a container Figure 2 the illustrative construction is shown showing my device applied thereto. beforeclosure only partly closed. 45 of the container; One of the panels, illustratively the front panel Figure 2 is a plane view, as seen from above in Il, preferably has an upward extension or flap Figure 1, showing also an illustrative form or l5 preferably dened as is better shown in Figure method of folding the open end of the container 1 by a horizontal fold or crease line I 6. Flap l5 to effect closure; is of a suitable or appropriate width, as will later 50 Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section as seen become clear. n f along the line 3 3 of Figure 1; To the front face of the flap l5, vas viewed in Figure 4 is a front elevation, like that of Fig- Figures 1 and 2, is secured the retaining device ure 1, but showing thedevice and container in a generally indicated by the reference characterll.- stage of its manipulation; The device l1 is preferably made of a sheet ma- 55.

terial having appropriate characteristics whereby just described, the operator bends the still upit may be relatively easily bent and when bent restanding V-shaped portion 20 (see Figure 4) fortaining the shape into which it is thus bent. wardly and throughout substantially 180 and in- Preferably. it is made of a suitable sheet metal. to the position substantially as shown in Figures B Its preferred shape is well indicated in Figure 6 and '1. Thereby several unique clamping and 5 1; it comprises a horizontal portion I8 of a width securing actions are brought about. For excommensurate with or slightly less than that of ample, at the two points of bending of the V- the flap I and a symmetrically shaped and posishaped part 20, indicated in Figures 6 and 26 and tioned horizontal portion I9, both adapted to rest 27, two U- haped clamping effects o r structures l0 against the flap I5, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. are brought about and preferably the parts of i0 The portions I8 and I9 are vjoined by an interthe device I1 are so proportioned that these two mediate v-shaped portion which preferably U-shaped clamping structures are made effective extends downwardly a substantial distance below throughout the central region of the oloSed top the nap I5, as is best shown in Figures 1 and 3, portion of the container where there are, in the 16 and each portion I8 and I9 is extended, as at 22 illustrative form of container, two thicknesses of la and z3, to form tongues that project laterally bemateriel. namely. the thicknesses of the poneis yond the side edges of the front panel II. II and I2 (Figure 2). Thus, dependable clamp- The device I1 is secured in place and illusing is eected throughout the general central tratively to the flap, IS by any suitable or approregion of the folded closed end of the container,

20 priate means. Illustratively, the portions I8 and and as S best Shown in Figure 6, it Will be noted 20 I9 thereof may have stamped or cut and bent that the opposed arm portions of each U-shaped out of their respective planes prong-like tabs 24 clamping structure are divergent and thus disand 25, respectively, which, as is better shown in tribute the clamping and holding actions to the Figure 2, may be passed through the material of right and left, as Viewed in Figure 6. Thus.

es the tab ls and bent over. preferably in opposite considering the clamping structure et the point 25 directions from each other', and thus secure or 15. the erm thereof that extends t0 the rear side clamp the container portion and the device I1 of the Container l0 Will be Seen t0 extend lefttogether, wardly while the arm that comes over to the front When the container I0 has been filled, illusside of the container extends toward the right,

3o tratively asin an over-the-counter sale, the parts there beine a reverse relationship with respect so that form'the double fold I3 and I4 are folded to th'e Clamping Structure at the Point 2l TnuS. inwardly, as shown in Figure 2, that action beclamping' pressures are V.dependably distributed. ing accompanied by a movement toward each V The loWel end of the V-Sheped port 2l, as other of the upper edges of the panels II and I2, Seenin Figure 6, takes Dart in an additional completion of tho latter movement bringing closure-retaining action, and that action is better 35 about a closure of the container as already above Shown in Figure 8- The lower end of the V- described, excepting that the nap l5 (see Figure shaped part 201s pressed inwardly or to the right. 3l is opstanding beyond the folded and allned es viewed in Figure 8, und sets to bow the upper top marginal portions of the folded panels or portion of the front panel II rearwardly toward in front elevation substantially as shown in Figboth Panels reiWe-idly, 3S iS indicated also in ure l, whereupon the operator swings the gap l5 Figure 7. This action 'insures against loosenabout the fold line I6 as an axis throughout suhins up. or separation from each other, of the stantially 180; such swinging would take place upper end portions of the panels Il-I2 and thus; V5 rearwardly, as viewed in Figure 1I or in olook.. in coaction with the other clamping effects above 45 wise direction, as viewed in Figure 3, and theredescribed; the device I1 dependably and reliably by the nop l5 l5 folded over the alined upper edges maintains the closure of the container in closed ofthe double folds l: and u and of the rear relationshipl panel I2, in effect also drawing these folds tightly The container may be easily opened- The together, The parts assumo the relationship tongues 22 and 2l are unbent and restored to the l50 shown in Figure 4, the device I1 having thereby relationship Shown in Figure 4', aS is also the been moved to the rear side of the container and V-Sllaped Por@ 2, the operation in unbending also swung through 180. 1n Figur'e 5 is shown thus resulting in undoing the action of the part in cross-section how the flap l5 is folded over Les viewed in Figure 6. and also the clamping u r the now closed end of the container and also how actions of the Clamping Stl'llotuies at the Points VIil' it overlies the upper substantially allned edges 26 and 21. The structure having been restored of the folded parts and how the latter are thereto the relstionship shown in Figure 4, the device by drawn together, 20 is given a 180 swing or turn about the .axis of v Thereupon the operator bends the lateral the fold line le of the flap I5. whence the ports -o() tongues 22, 23 about a vertical axis and to the are restored t0 line relationship Shown in Figure l. co front of the upper folded closed end of the corilftg Thereafter lillefponel o1' like Darts of the folded tainer, giving these tongues positions as betterrv Closure end of the Container may be unfolded shown in Figures 6 and 7, this gotion resulting .and the container thus opened for the discharge in tlghtlylamping the several thicknesses of 0f itS Contents. ReStOlatiOll Of the Closure-rematerial together illustrativelyand as is shown taining deVloe to the relationships Shown in 05 in Figure 5, with the illustrative form of oon- Figures 6 and l may again. if desired. beeesilv tainer employed, tive thicknesses of container accomplished. material are thus securely clamped between the As above noted, the device I1 appears in plan tongue z2 and the yportion lll at one end of the or development as itis shown in' Figure 1. In ,7o container and ar'lilre number of thicknesses Figure 9 II have indicated how e sheet or strip 'Il clamped between the portion I9 and the tongue 28 of sheet material, such as sheet metal, out of 23 at the other end of the container. The laterwhich the device I1 is to be made. muy be out al tongues 22 and 23 may be made of any desired up, if it has a width equal to the over-all length or suitable length. of the device I 1, as viewed in Figure 1, into de- ,75 Having thus bent the lateral tongues 22, 23, as vices I1, without any loss or wastage of the raw j A0 parts. The container th filled would appear eud seein-St the rear panel I2, in effect bowing .lo

I 2,202,880" material itself.. Any suitable punch pressdies or tools may, of course, be used to stamp or cut the devices out of the raw material.

Thus, it will be seen that there vhas been provided in thisinvention a yclosure-retaining device 'in which the various objects heretofore noted, to

gether with many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved.' It will be seen -that the device is inexpensive, thoroughly dependable in use and eiicient in action. Moreover, it will be seen that itis well adapted to meet the hard' conditions ofV practical use.

vof the above invention As many possible embodiments may be made and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompany drawings, is to be interpreted as'illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. The combination' withf a container 'made of` paper, or the like, having opposed side walls and opposed'- end walls, the latter being foldable against the former upon the upper end edges of the former being brought together,' thereby to close said end of the container, one vof said side walls having a flap extension bendabie o ver and vdownwardly against the opposed side wall, said Ifap extension having secured thereto a closureretaining device which comprises a' sheet metal ,member of awidth commensurate with ,that of .said flap and having three Imajor portions, two

of whichoverlie said flap'extension adjacent its twoends and the third comprising an intermediate V-shaped portion the apex of which extends downwardly from the line o'f said first two portions, whereby when said flap extension is 'folded over said opposed side wall and carries said device over with it, said V-shaped portion may be bent back and against said apfbearing side wall;

'2. The combination with a container made of-j paper, or the like, havingopposed side walls and opposed end walls, the latter being f oldable against the former upon .the upperend edges of the former being brought together, thereby to close said end of the container, one ofsaid side walls having a iiap extension bendabie over and downwardly-against the opposed side wall, said nap extension having secured thereto a closure retaining device which comprises a sheet metal member of a width commensurate with that of said flap and having three major portions, two

of which overlie said flap extension adjacent its two ends and the third comprising an intermediate il-shaped portion the apex of which extends downwardly from the line of said rst two portions. said first-two lportions having lateral extensions beyond the edges of said side wall, whereby said lateral extensions, after said flap extension has been folded over said opposed side wall, may be bent to clamp between them and said respective two portions the intervening wall thicknesses of the container, and said v-shaped intermediate portion may be bentover and down against said flap-bearing side wall.

3. 'I'he combination with a container made of paper, or the like.. having an 'otherwise -open end closable by folding the end portions ofthe container wall together, of a sheet metal closure'- retaining device comprising a sheet metal mem.

ber having two end portions that have extensions beyond the ends of the container closure, said extensions being lbendabie therearound to hold the container wall thicknesses at the ends ofthe closure against separation, and iin-intermediate Atainer parts that'form the container closure, said 'blank being made ofsheet metal two spaced substantially alined end portions connected by an intermediate portion that is's'ub' V-shaped portion bendabie along an axis Ltransblank being made of sheet metal and comprising two spaced substantially alined end portions con- V.shaped portion the arins of which are bendabie over andbeyond the hold intermediate wall thicknesses of the latter against separation.

top edges of the closure to 4. The combination with a container made of 5A paper, or the like, having-an otherwise open end -closable by folding theend portions of the container wall together, ofY a sheet metal closureretainingdevice comprising a sheet metal mem-- berhaving two end portions that have extensions IQ beyond theends of the container;closure, said extensions being bendabie therearound -to hold the containerwall thicknesses' at the ends of the closure 4against separation, and an intermediate portion forming, when bent over and beyond the Li `top edge of said closure, two spaced clamping means f or the wall thicknesses intermediate' the ends of the closure.

5. The combination with a containermade of paper, or. the like, having an otherwise open end closable by folding the endvportions of the container wall.to'gether, of a' sheet metal closureretaining device comprising a sheet metal member having two end portions that have extensions beyond the ends of the container closure, said extensions being bendabie therearound to hold the container wall thicknesses at the ends of the closure against separation, and an intermediate portion of substantial length and .bendabie over and beyond the top edge of said closure, to hold intermediate wall thicknesses of the closure against separation. I y

6. A blank for a. container-closure-retaining device for the 'clamping together of opposed cona'nd comprising stantially V-shaped, said` device4 .having its verse to the bisector of the angie of the V so that the apex part of the V.shaped portion may rest against one of said container parts and the' remaining two parts of the4 V-shaped portion rest against the other of said container parts toV clamp said opposed container parts together.

7. A blank for a container-closure-retaining device for the clamping together of opposed container parts that form the container closure', said nected-by an intermediate portion that is of substantially the same width as said two spaced portions vbut of greater length than the spacingv therebetween, said two end portions, when said device is related to said opposed container parts of a container, being bendabie about the container parts to clamp said container parts together.

8. A blank for-a` container-closure-retaining go device for vthe clamping together of opposed container parts that form the container closure, said blank being made of sheet metal and comprising .two spaced substantially alined end portions con- OSCAR W. WENTZ. f, 

